Stories
Middle School Drops Everything to Read
December 10, 2025
Aspen Country Day School has introduced a new Middle School tradition designed to nurture a habit that matters throughout life: reading for pleasure. Each Wednesday, students take part in Drop Everything and Read, or D.E.A.R., a simple weekly ritual that asks them to pause their day, put aside class assignments, and settle in with a book of their choice. The only guideline is that it cannot be one they are already reading for class, which gives students room to follow their own interests.
Early adolescence is when young people begin to understand who they are as thinkers and individuals. Carving out regular time for self-selected reading supports their growing capacity for independent thought, sustained focus, and personal exploration. This dedicated quiet space offers students a chance to slow down and be present with their own ideas.
“D.E.A.R. is an excellent opportunity to take a deep breath as a school and and remember that we’re here to learn and not just achieve,” said Sixth Grade Humanities teacher Zeke Tiernan.
During the 15 – 20 minute reading window, the goals are clear. Foster a genuine love of reading. Strengthen vocabulary and comprehension. Support self regulation and focus. Quiet reading gives students a moment to reset and engage their imaginations in a way that screens and busy schedules rarely allow. Research shows that independent reading boosts academic achievement and social emotional growth, and teachers see these benefits every day.
ACDS Middle School Head Mark Bosick notes that the weekly ritual also creates a meaningful moment for adults and students to learn side by side. When teachers and staff join with their own books, students see reading modeled as something people carry with them throughout life. “Reading builds imagination, creativity, and storytelling instincts that do not always fit neatly into a curriculum but remain essential to how we understand the world,” Mark said. “It is a chance to reconnect with the calm and grounding that come from getting lost in a good book.”
Quiet reading gives students a moment to reset and engage their imaginations in a way that screens and busy schedules rarely allow.
The program also highlights helpful tools available to students, including Learning Ally, a database offering audio and visual access to a wide range of titles. This ensures that every student can find a format that works for them and discover stories that inspire curiosity.
Beyond the weekly reading period, students will have opportunities during Middle School assemblies to share what they are reading through short, informal book talks that may inspire classmates to try something new. These small celebrations of reading help strengthen a culture in which stories are exchanged, discussed, and enjoyed.
At its core, D.E.A.R. helps put books back into kids hands. It is easy for reading to become something done only for an assignment, and this weekly ritual serves as a reminder that reading for its own sake is worth protecting. It is a moment to return to the heart of learning and enjoy stories that broaden understanding and build character.